You may have noticed, but probably haven't, that I've been away from my blog for quite a few weeks now. I intended to take a week off to coincide with annual leave from my day job, but that week turned into longer. I guess I hit something of a creative block; I was feeling fatigued and bored with my blog. And a little disheartened. It feels like the posts I work the hardest on, get the lowest views. And the posts I put together in a hurry, get the highest views. Which is frustrating, and made me wonder what the point is! Surprisingly, to me at least, I really missed blogging. Hence my return. Forgive me for the lateness of my regular monthly posts, I'm keen not to miss a single month as it's great for me to look back on at the end of the year and see what I was doing and loving each month. So, without further ado, here's what I got up to in July!
Since we're now over halfway through the year (I mean, how?!), I thought it was about time I checked in with my 2018 goals. To remind myself of what they are. To steer myself back on track if I've veered off slightly. To make myself more accountable. To make this the best year possible. Let's see how I'm getting on then, shall we?
From Rupi Kaur, the #1 New York Timesbestselling author of milk and honey, comes her long-awaited second collection of poetry. A vibrant and transcendent journey about growth and healing. Ancestry and honoring one’s roots. Expatriation and rising up to find a home within yourself.
Divided into five chapters and illustrated by Kaur, the sun and her flowers is a journey of wilting, falling, rooting, rising, and blooming. A celebration of love in all its forms.
this is the recipe of life
said my mother
as she held me in her arms as i wept
think of those flowers you plant
in the garden each year
they will teach you
that people too
must wilt
fall
root
rise
in order to bloom
June saw a slow-down when it came to reading. But, to be fair, I am currently 29 books ahead of schedule when it comes to my GoodReads Reading Challenge. So I think I can be forgiven for not reading quite so voraciously this past month. Here's a quick summary of the books I did read in June, and a look at what's on my TBR pile for July!
I've been obsessed with modern poetry at the moment. Starting with Rupi Kaur's two books, followed up by Amanda Lovelace's. The Witch Doesn't Burn In This One (***), like The Sun and Her Flowers, wasn't as good as it's predecessor. But I still enjoyed the poetry in this collection. I really enjoyed Roald Dahl's Book Of Ghost Stories (***), some were better than others but, on the whole, a creepy, chilling collection.
Seriously, guys. Where is this year going? How is it even July already? I just can't even! I mean, I'm pretty sure I blinked and missed June. Which is almost certainly why I got on so badly with my June goals. Here's a quick recap and an overview of which (if any) I was able to complete...
Can you believe that June is over already? I can't even. July is bringing with it some new and returning faces to my sidebar, and today I'm here to introduce you to some of them. Hopefully you'll find some new favourite blogs to follow. If you'd like to advertise with me, all the information can be found at the bottom of this post!
Angelwings and Petticoats is a lifestyle blog, covering books and mental health. Alex started her blog with the intention of breaking down the stigma around mental illness; schizophrenia, in particular. Alex does a fantastic job of balancing fun, light-hearted posts with the more serious, important posts; as she doesn't just write exclusively about mental health. Alex has recently been on a break from blogging (we all need a break sometimes!) but she's back with some brand new posts! Alex has so many wonderful bookish blog posts to choose from. Alex updates us on her health struggles in a new instalment of her Bed Rest Diaries series.
Today I'm excited to be taking part in the blog tour for Claire Fullerton's new novel, Mourning Dove, with an excerpt from the book. Read on for your first taste of Mourning Dove, and details on how to buy the book if this excerpt has whet your appetite.
